Protein Rice Krispies Squares

No Marshmallows Please!

What are rice puffs anyways?

Puffed Brown Rice is a great breakfast cereal alternative to oats and muesli that is naturally gluten-free, low in saturated fat and cholesterol. They are made by applying heat and pressure to the whole grain to make light rice puffs. 

The culinary principle that best explains what puffed rice is that of popcorn; the rice grains are "dilated" by the effect of heat, just like popping corn. Fragrant and light, puffed rice was born in India in ancient times as an offering to the gods. Over time it has become a much loved and consumed ingredient all over the world.

Rice puffs can be enjoyed on it's own in a cereal bowl with your favourite plant-based milk or made into healthy snacks like the recipe below. Be sure to buy organic brown rice puffs that are 100% pure rice with no other ingredients added. 

Rice puffs are also a popular alternative for those who wish to avoid wheat, oats, and gluten but still love their crunchy cereals in the morning or their cereal bar snacks in the afternoon.

The benefits of making your own sweet treats!

These Protein Rice Krispies bars taste just like you would imagine them, crispy and crunchy with thick and creamy nut butter and extra protein-rich pumpkin seeds, too, for good measure!

These are the perfect mid-afternoon snack to provide you with a light energy boost to tide you over until your next meal. They are so delightfully tasty and the epitome of the perfect bite!

Zero baking and easy peasy to make up a batch that'll last you either the week in your snack box or use them in the kids' lunchboxes, helping to make these great for the entire family to enjoy.

Get yourself in the kitchen; the kids will enjoy making these too and reap the benefits of these healthy protein-rich rice Krispies bars today!

Main Ingredient Benefits

• Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is great at reducing appetite, boosting energy levels, reducing the risk of heart disease, reducing colon cancer risk, preventing cognitive decline, and managing blood sugar levels.
• Almond Butter - contains healthy monounsaturated fats, plus plant phytosterols and antioxidants that promote heart health.
• Maple Syrup - a great natural alternative to table sugar and vegan alternative to honey, maple syrup is a source of various essential minerals that include zinc, magnesium, and potassium. It also has antioxidant properties to protect the body from free radicals, the opposite of table sugar, which promotes them.
• Brown Rice Puffs - contains carbohydrates that will improve your energy levels and provide fuel for your cells. It contains dietary fibre, which aids in lowering cholesterol and helps support the digestive tract.
• Dark Chocolate - the health benefits of dark chocolate are well studied and numerous. Some of these benefits include boosting psychological health, supporting eye health, promoting blood circulation, boosting energy, supporting good cardiovascular health, strengthening the immune system, enhancing your mood, and being a good source of antioxidants.
• Pumpkin Seeds - little powerhouses of nutrients and health benefits. Like nuts, pumpkin seeds are a great source of protein and unsaturated fats, including omega-3, omega-6, antioxidants, and fibre. This combination has benefits to both the heart and the liver.
• Shredded Coconut - provides an alternative to fresh coconut meat, stores a long time, and is rich in essential minerals, including copper and iron. Your cells need copper and iron to fuel your metabolism and support energy function, as well as to make functional red blood cells. 

Always look to buy 100% nut butter with no salt or sugar added. 

Protein Rice Krispies Squares Recipe

Recipe makes 12 squares

INGREDIENTS

• 3 1/2 cups organic puffed brown rice
• 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1/3 cup almond butter
• 2/3 cup maple syrup or syrup alternative such as carob, rice, date, agave etc.
• 1/2 bar of dark chocolate approx. 50g
• 3 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• 1-2 tbsp shredded coconut

METHOD

1. Using a large saucepan, heat the syrup and nut butters on low heat until melted, silky, and combined, about 1 minute.
2. Remove from the heat and add the puffed rice, if the saucepan isn't large enough use a large bowl to combine the puffed rice with the nut butter mixture until fully coated.
3. Pour into a 8x8 inch square pan and flatten down the mixture, pressing it together with the back of a spoon firmly.
4. Whilst this is cooling, melt your chocolate over a double boiler ( a glass bowl over a saucepan with water set to simmer).
5. Once your chocolate is melted drip it over your krispies treats, top with shredded coconut and pumpkin seeds.
6. Leave to completely cool, firm up and solidify the chocolate.
7. After an hour or so, cut into 12 squares and serve.

These can be stored in a air tight container for up to 1 week

Enjoy!

Recipe by Rose Wyles - The Vegan Nutritionist

For professional assistance with adopting a healthy and nutritious plant-based diet, go to www.thevegannutritionist.co.uk/nutritionconsulting